Thales to Provide INS, GPS for KC-390

Thales has been awarded a contract by Embraer Defence and Security to provide the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the GPS of the KC-390 military transport aircraft.

Thales High Performance Inertial Reference System (HPIRS) allows military aircraft to successfully conduct missions by flying in all weather conditions, with the highest level of safety. Thales said the unique architecture of the aircraft’s navigation system enables a significant reduction in life cyle and maintenance costs.

“Thales HPIRS and GPS will provide unique capability to the KC-390 and will contribute to the success of the program. After a rigorous selection process, Thales solution was clearly the best one for the KC-390,” said Eduardo Bonini Santos Pinto, senior vice president, operations, and COO, Embraer Defence and Security.

“We are very proud to have been selected by Embraer as their choice reflects the technological breakthrough made by Thales in the inertial and GPS navigation system.We are eager to contribute to the success of the KC-390 program and to further develop our relationship with Embraer,” said Dominique Giannoni, vice president of Thales Military Avionics Business Line.

Embraer is developing the KC-390 under contract with the Brazilian Air Force. The test flights are planned for 2014 with the initial delivery of KC-390 in 2016.